Tone with Tai Chi
by Kristy Martin
http://diets.aol.com/americatakesitoff/taichi
Many are intimidated by their
impressions of Tai Chi. Some see it as an aggressive martial art, or, on the
flip side, as a mellow fitness routine best left to creaky-jointed folks in a
tranquil park. Clichés aside, Tai Chi is a superb way to unite the physical and
spiritual halves of the body.
The benefits of Tai Chi include greater flexibility; excellent core strength and
balance; improved muscle tone, breathing and digestion; and all-around better
immunity, posture, sleep and stress management. Here are four ways to best
experience the Chinese workout:
Pick your style. The practice of Tai Chi, rooted in the
dynasties of ancient China, has many forms. Chen Tai Chi retains the
martial-arts backbone of its genesis. Many students' ailments disappear with
regular practice. Taoist Tai Chi,
meanwhile, focuses on the spiritual method of "taming the heart" as part of its
routine.
Let your inhibitions go. Tai Chi is a journey of the self, and
if you treat it as such you'll reap the benefits more wholly. Each set of
movements is performed to maximize your body's "qi," or energy. It's an internal
exercise, and unites all of the body, rather than, say weightlifting, which
focuses on specific muscle groups.
Prepare to sweat. Think Tai Chi is easy? Think again. In about
10 minutes, you'll sweat profusely along with your classmates as you perform
balance-challenging positions that generate heat from within, and increase your
heart rate.
Practice makes perfect. Don't expect overnight results, but do
expect your body to change if you devote yourself to performing Tai Chi on a
regular basis. ... if you practice the form, the form will change you. It's
amazing. You can do this for the rest of your life... After a year, your
physique is drastically improved, as is your mental well-being.
--Kristy Martin